Induction Innovations offers coil maintenance advice

May 24, 2021
Induction Innovations offers coil maintenance advice
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Induction Innovations, the company behind the very popular Mini-Ductor induction heating tools, has issued some useful advice on heating coil use and maintenance.


The induction heating coils that transfer heat from Mini-Ductor tools to the objects being heated are a critical element to the process of releasing rusted or seized hardware from corrosion and thread lock compounds. Proper care of these coils is vital.

Induction Innovations carries over two dozen different sized coils to meet various needs. Most of these coils are pre-formed, which means they have been molded into a specific size and shape and will continue to hold that shape throughout the life of the coil. However, these coils can be separated to fit over an inline application and the leads can be bent to fit into hard-to-reach areas without compromising the integrity of the coil.

The Induction Innovations range also includes flexible coils such as the Bearing Buddy. Though the bearing buddy cannot hold a different shape, it works just as efficiently as one of the pre-formed coils. The bearing buddy kit comes with a heat resistant mat and can be easily wrapped around inline applications. Induction Innovations recommends wrapping the mat around the application before wrapping the coil because the mat extends the life of the coil by protecting the insulation against fraying or abrasion caused by contact with hot metal. For best results, users are advised to wrap the wire around the application 3-4 times to get the magnetic field going. The more wraps, the better results.  

Lastly, the company has a U-form coil, which can be shaped or formed into any size needed. The users simply takes a socket the size of the bolt they want to remove and wrap the U-form coil around the socket to create the perfect-size coil for the job. Again, 3-4 times is the optimal number of wraps to make around the application.

The first step in proper coil usage is to find the right-size coil to fit an application. The coil should fit around the application with enough space to leave a small gap between the coil and the application. Second, the coil needs to be secured into place using the coil twist lock from the Mini-Ductor Venom or the thumb screws if using the Mini-Ductor II.

Next, the user should apply heat for 5-20 seconds and see if the application has loosened.  If not the process should be repeated. These short duty cycles will prolong the life of the unit and the coils.

In most cases, there is no need to heat the application to red-hot. Induction Innovations does that to demonstrate the safe, precise, and reliable heat their products generate and the speed at which ferrous metals heat up.

After the first use, the user may notice that the insulation of the coil will start to brown or darken. This is completely normal and happens over the life of the coil. With proper usage, a coil should last between 200-300 uses. Coils with damaged, frayed, or missing insulation run the risk of arcing and burning the unit out. Arcing can cause the unit to spark, which can be a fire hazard.

Induction Innovations does not sell replacement insulation for their coils, but users can purchase replacement coils individually or in one of their many coil kits.
 
Induction Innovations
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